Having the engine out of the car I decided to adjust the valves as well. First I tried it with the special tool 213, it is basically a special feeler gauge - no thank you. Much easier with the dial gauge indicator plus holder (about USD 100 for both). You bolt the dial gauge holder onto the valve cover struds and install the dial gauge pressing on the rocker arm of the valve you want to measure. Before, you have to set the cylinder you measure to TDC (start with 1 or 4 at Z1 on the harmonic balancer and turn 90 degree cycles), set the dial gauge to 0 and move the rocker arm up and down (0.1 mm is not much). All but two where fine, one only a bit tight, exhaust valve on cylinder 3 was set at almost 0, that's the one which is close to the cat and probably gets very hot. It's also a pain to measure. I think the machanic who did the last adjustment just din't do it. Imagine the exhaust hot, he did not want to burn his fingers.

 

<<Imagine the exhaust hot, he did not want to burn his fingers>>

It was my impression that valve adjustments should be done with the engine stone cold (i.e., let it sit overnight and then push it onto the lift).

 

The manual says both cold or warm. Ideally you let it sit overnight but I guess that's not so easy at the dealership.

 

Can you adjust the valves using the dial guage when the engine is in the car?

 

I think it could be done but for some valves you would need a holder which is not as tall as the factory one. It stands up too high and doesn't really need to.